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Theme Of Reputation In Beowulf

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Beowulf is one of the oldest scripts known to mankind. Overall, the Beowulf poem is about a hero whom has the strength of thirty men in one arm. In this Anglo-Saxon tale, the unknown authored had a never ending theme of reputation. According to Dictionary.com, reputation can be defined as “the estimation in which a person or thing is held, especially by the community or the public generally.” Fast forward to today’s age, reputation is a big component in an everyday life setting. Someone’s reputation can either make or break them. Reputation, today, can also be classified as individualism, or someone’s independence. “Commentary on the List of Basic American Values” is L. Robert Kohls’ way of addressing how American’s reputation is essential …show more content…

It has been dissected multiple times and deconstructed in every way possible. Literary scholars conclude that the epic poem was placed in Scandinavia, between the years of 500 A.D. and 1000 A.D. (SparkNotes.com, “Beowulf”). The tale surrounds the life of a epic hero named Beowulf. From the beginning, Beowulf is immediately verbally attacked by Unferth. He claims that Beowulf has lost the swimming competition between him and Breca. This affects Beowulf because his reputation is vital to him. Beowulf fires back with a reminder that Unferth killed his own kin. “[...] and the forthright Unferth, admired by all for his mind and courage, although under a cloud for killing his brothers, reclined near the king” (1164-1167). To prove himself, Beowulf informs the King Hrothgar of his new expedition, killing Grendel. “Grendel was the name of this grim demon haunting the marches, marauding round the heath and the desolate fens; he had dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters, Cain's clan, whom the creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts.” (Beowulf, 102). Basically, Grendel was constantly a threat to the community, which is why it was quite a task to rid of him. Eventually, Beowulf kills nine sea monsters and faces his battle with Grendel. When he murders Grendel, he leaves all the materialistic treasures and only takes the most valuable thing to him, Grendel’s head. By the end of the poem, Beowulf is established as a courageous, prideful and an overall hero. Reputation to Beowulf was very critical because he didn’t want to be seen as anything less than the

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(Beowulf 27.) Beowulf then retorts with, “And I had chosen to remain close to his side, I remained near him for five long nights.” (Beowulf 28.) This whole confrontation is based off there fame and reputation. Unferth calls Beowulf a wimp, and Beowulf retorts with saying that he stayed by Brecca’s side and protected him.

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Beowulf’s Vengeance It is a fair night in Geatland, and Beowulf is celebrating his victory over Grendel's Mother in the mead hall Higlac built for his nephew. The mead hall is named The Court of Champions. "Let us celebrate my nephew’s great accomplishments of ridding the Danish people of their hideous creatures!" Higlac exclaims as he raises his mead cup to his subjects. Higlac by far was one of the fairest kings the Geats have had, after raids he gave each member a portion of the loot and made sure that everyone in the clan was cared for.

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One’s reputation can be set in a shadow of their parents’ or it can evolve from their past reputation. Reputation is an important theme throughout Beowulf. In example, Shield Sheafson, founder and king of the Danes, formed a reputation of his own. Starting out as an orphan and then bringing himself up to greatness “as his powers waxed and his worth was proved” (Beowulf 41). Shield Sheafson didn’t have anyone else in his life to base his reputation for him, so he had to build one on his own.

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This is an example of a rushed decision, and if Beowulf was king he could have left his people helpless against

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The writer's argument is that reputation is a crucial aspect of a person's honor and standing in society.

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In the epic Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, Beowulf is depicted as a heroic figure who fights monsters and defends the weak. During its time, Beowulf would be considered a great hero, however in today 's standards Beowulf would only be considered a great warrior. That’s because a hero should value the lives of the people and not seek to be rewarded. Instead, Beowulf committed heroic acts for his own selfish reasons and never shows to values the lives of the people. From fighting Grendel to slaying the dragon, Beowulf only fought because he value the fame and fortune that comes along with those accomplishments.

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The term reputation is a widespread belief that someone or something has a particular habit or characteristic. Throughout History, reputation has become a powerful force in shaping human behavior. Whether in personal relationships or life, reputation can impact how we are perceived and determine the course of our lives. Reputation is a central theme in Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible, the play explores the consequences of rumors and the influence of public opinion on individual lives. Throughout the play, characters are motivated by the desire to protect their reputations.

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Beowulf is well-known throughout all the lands and many people recognize him for his dangerous feats. When Unferth, one of Ecglaf’s sons, meets Beowulf, he immediately becomes envious of Beowulf’s adventurous feats; specifically, when he says “‘The ocean swayed,/ winter went wild in the waves, but you [Beowulf] vied/ for seven nights’” (ll. 515-517). Although the ocean did not actually “sway” (l. 515) and the winter did not go “wild,” (l.516) these uses of personification help to build up Beowulf as a character. His acts of heroism and adventurism show him in high regard by others while also describing his competence as a warrior.

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Reputation is the concern for what others perceive one to be. It embodies what one believes in, what they do, and what they aim to represent externally. It can refer to a living or deceased person alike. Oftentimes, reputation is the springboard for one’s overall legacy and there are an infinite number of ways it may be shaped: by one’s status in society, the deeds one does, or simply the people one associates with. Materialistic desires can be defined as any non-essential item one owns.

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Reputation is defined as someone having a widespread known belief or exhibiting a particular habit or characteristic. Characters come and go, when a character sticks in the mind of the reader it is related to the reputation of the character that the poet has created whether it be good or bad. King Hrothgar, Beowulf, and Wiglaf all possess characteristics of bravery, kindness, and strength that build their reputation in Beowulf and cause them to be admired. The king of a kingdom is looked up to and respected by the people.

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The continued honor shown in Beowulf’s character shines through when Beowulf never mentions that Unferth’s trusted sword was no match for Grendel’s mother. Beowulf could have simply boasted how the sword was useless and ineffective against the female beast, yet he was silent out of respect for Unferth. Finally, during Beowulf’s time as ruler (fifty winters), another beast arrives: a dragon. This time, Beowulf is much older and is in a much weaker state than when he first defeated Grendel and his mother. However, that does not deter Beowulf from going out and defending his kingdom.

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Beowulf tells Unferth that his misrepresentation and ‘quick tongue’ “Won’t help your [Unferth] soul; you’ll suffer hell’s fires(589), linking Unferth’s lying of what Beowulf did with christian sin. Another form christianity leaked into Beowulf is when Beowulf retaliates against Unferth and states that Unferth killed his brother. In terms of christianity, Unferth commits a mortal sin, which is the highest degree of sinning when he breaks one of the ten commandments. Christianity is shown through the poets writing, especially in the scene with Unferth and Beowulf. The exchange with Unferth reveals the importance of heroic deeds, and the need to defend oneself against attacks on these deeds.

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Anglo-Saxons, the clans that ran Old England and led Britain, used bards and Scops to tell their stories. These bards and Scops, honored members of society, passed their oral traditions down the generations. A well-known epic poem told by the Anglo-Saxons, Beowulf, about an epic hero, who leads the Geats in many well-known victories, demonstrates various beliefs that the Anglo-Saxons had. Throughout time, the epic became continuously passed down was changed and evolved into the version that exists today. Which was written into text by Christian Monks, who added here and there parts of their own religion to the epic, leading to the well-known epic today.

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Very little is known about the epic poem Beowulf besides that the story was told during the Anglo-Saxon period, specifically between the years 500-1100. The author is unknown, due to the fact that the story was originally told verbally and not documented until much later. Like many stories told throughout the ages, Beowulf consists of many archetypes. An archetype is a recurring symbol found in literature, such as the Hero archetype. In this epic poem, the hero, Beowulf, travels from his homeland to Denmark to save a kingdom from an awful beast that has been attacking men late at night for over twelve years.

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Literature has maintained a strong influence on society and its perceptions of heroes for centuries. In consequence, the time period in which a literary work is written reveals much about that society’s ideals. For example, the Anglo-Saxon epic, Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, illustrates the deeds of a heroic knight and reflects the values of his community. Throughout the poem, Beowulf displays commendable behavior by saving another kingdom, defeating three villains, and maintaining allegiance to the lord and his people. Even though a millennium has passed since the release of this epic, heroes today display characteristics similar to those of Beowulf.

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